PDF version - Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
PDF version - Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
PDF version - Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
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Theology<br />
Theology<br />
Judith K. Schaefer, OP, Ph.D., Chair<br />
Theology is the academic discipline that strives to understand and interpret the faith <strong>of</strong> the Christian<br />
communion and to bring it to expression in language and symbol. Its content is divine revelation: i.e.,<br />
sacred tradition, sacred texts, and inspired interpretation. In the spirit and tradition <strong>of</strong> scholasticism,<br />
theology is always in dialogue with other academic disciplines and human experience because Catholic<br />
Christianity holds that faith and reason, properly understood, work in harmony toward a greater<br />
understanding <strong>of</strong> God. Grounded in the Lasallian Catholic community, the theology department<br />
seeks to engage a community <strong>of</strong> learners in the ancient quest for meaning and truth, as those in faith<br />
continue to seek understanding (Anselm).<br />
Department Goals<br />
Courses <strong>of</strong>fered in the theology department assist all students in attaining:<br />
• An introductory knowledge <strong>of</strong> the Bible and an understanding <strong>of</strong> it as a primary source <strong>of</strong> God’s<br />
revelation;<br />
• Recognition <strong>of</strong> the distinctive elements <strong>of</strong> the Roman Catholic tradition, and an understanding <strong>of</strong> the<br />
relationship between faiths, beliefs, moral and ethical behavior, and religious practice;<br />
• Foundational comprehension and acquisition <strong>of</strong> skills, attitudes, and intellectual capacities involved<br />
in the engagement <strong>of</strong> faith and life; and<br />
• An appreciative understanding <strong>of</strong> the relationship between theological study and its critical<br />
engagement with contemporary society.<br />
General Education Course Outcomes<br />
All undergraduate students in the Lasallian Core Traditions Program are required to complete two<br />
courses in the Faith Traditions Content Area (one in Faith Traditions I and one in Faith Traditions II) while<br />
students in the Lasallian Honors Program are required to complete one Faith Traditions I course. These<br />
courses enable the students to identify basic Catholic Christian beliefs and to articulate how these<br />
beliefs address contemporary issues and ways <strong>of</strong> thinking.<br />
Faith Traditions I courses: TH112, TH113, TH114, and TH115 (TH115 for IHM Seminarians only)<br />
Faith Traditions II courses: H333, TH250, TH260, and TH270<br />
Students with a strong academic background in scripture can test out <strong>of</strong> Faith Traditions I by successful<br />
completion <strong>of</strong> the written exam. Students would then be required to take two Faith Traditions II courses.<br />
Theology Major Course Outcomes<br />
Students who major or minor in theology engage in advanced theological study that enables them to<br />
further understand the complexity and integrity <strong>of</strong> the Catholic theological tradition. Core courses in<br />
the major address theological areas such as systematic and moral theology, historical theology, biblical<br />
studies, and pastoral theology.<br />
The theology department also provides opportunities for personal formation through the Spirituality<br />
for the Vineyard program. Majors and minors are invited to participate in the program as a means <strong>of</strong><br />
personal and pr<strong>of</strong>essional integration.<br />
Academic excellence is rewarded by membership in Theta Alpha Kappa, the national honor society for<br />
theology and religion. <strong>Saint</strong> Mary’s <strong>University</strong> theology department is the Alpha Gamma Omega chapter.<br />
The theology department recognizes and honors outstanding work <strong>of</strong> graduating seniors within the<br />
department. Departmental distinction is reserved for students with a department and major field GPA<br />
<strong>of</strong> 3.700 and a cumulative GPA <strong>of</strong> 3.300 who present a senior paper or presentation judged to be <strong>of</strong><br />
superior quality by a committee <strong>of</strong> departmental faculty.<br />
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